New Mexico Virtual Academy Goes Online Next School Year

FARMINGTON, N.M., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New Mexico Virtual Academy (NMVA), a statewide online public charter school, is set to begin offering classes next school year, providing families with an exciting new public school choice.  The school, authorized by the Farmington Municipal School District, will offer its individualized education programs to students in grades 6-11 next year.  The school will expand to offer twelfth grade the following year.

Students who reside anywhere in the state are eligible to enroll in this new public school.

Using innovative technology, NMVA provides students access to multiple core and elective courses, assessments and instruction from state-certified teachers – all without geographic barriers.  NMVA offers flexible and personalized learning programs that work for all types of learners.

The school will also host a learning center in Farmington combining online and face-to-face instruction.  The school's blended learning center will feature computer labs and onsite teacher instruction and support, providing students additional enrichment and remediation opportunities.  

"We're excited about providing families in our state an innovative public school program through our new school, New Mexico Virtual Academy," said Larry Palmer, President of the NMVA Governing Council.  "School options such as NMVA help ensure that children have access to public education programs that best fit their learning styles and needs.  We are also very grateful for the leadership and guidance provided by our authorizer, the Farmington Municipal School District, and look forward to working closely with them to ensure NMVA is a success."

Instruction at the online school is both synchronous and asynchronous.  Students will work independently through their assigned courses in their individualized education plans, and also receive direct instruction through engaging web-based classes taught by certified teachers.  Teachers will also work individually with students in one-on-one sessions to provide support and guidance.  The school will offer opportunities for student collaboration in both curricular and extracurricular activities.  To build school community for students, the school will host events, field trips, and a variety of other social activities for students, parents, and teachers.

Students will be accountable to meet attendance requirements, and will take the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment tests and all other state-required high school assessment tests. 

NMVA will use the curriculum and school services provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of propriety curriculum and online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school.  Over 2,000 schools and school districts across the country use K12's courses, assessments, and instructional services in online and blended schools, and traditional classrooms.  K12's curriculum and education programs have received numerous honors and awards.  Most recently, EdNET Insight named K12 Inc. as a leading provider of online programs to school districts, and the K12 curriculum was named as a 2011 top product award winner in District Administration. 

According to the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), online learning remains one of the fastest growing areas in education as demand for online school options grows, and as more schools, districts and states increasingly offer online schools and programs.  Online teaching has also emerged as a rapidly growing field in education as more teachers are choosing to teach in online schools every year.

NMVA is currently accepting enrollment applications and will be hosting information sessions for families interested in learning more about this school.  Additional information, including a schedule of upcoming events and activities, can be found at www.K12.com/nmva.

SOURCE New Mexico Virtual Academy